Analysis Potatoes
Rainfall in Flanders costs the last potatoes
The considerable amount of rain in West Flanders in recent days, with the “last drop” on Monday morning, November 6, could well be the final blow to the potato crops still in the field. From a tour of the fields and, for example, the harvest progress overview from Aviko, it was known that the largest area of potatoes still to be harvested in Belgium would be in Flanders.
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Choose the subscription that suits youThe Flemish acreage for consumption potatoes has been set at just under 2023 hectares for 56.000. It is currently estimated that 14.000 hectares still need to be cleared. How much can ultimately be harvested will be the question in the coming weeks. It now seems clear that a volume of potatoes will have to be written off.
Impuls
The abundant rainfall has fallen in a core area where, according to insiders, there is still a lot of land left. For example, if 20% of the area still to be harvested remains, then you are quickly talking about almost 3.000 hectares. This amounts to approximately 130.000 tons of potatoes. Then there is not a major problem; After all, the Belgian potato harvest was estimated as above average, but it can certainly influence the mood in a positive way. Market prices - especially in the longer term - as they were in the past period (approximately €10 per 100 kilos for Fontane and Challenger) will most likely be a thing of the past for this season. 